Overview

Opened: 8/23/1920

Two levels with two tracks and one island platform on each level. Through trains to New Lots use the southern half of each platform, and terminating trains use the northern half (inbound on the upper level, outbound on the lower level). There is an an active tower at the south end of the upper level platform, and a closed one on the lower level paltform. In the station there are ornate doors in the tile walls which serve as vent chambers for the station. The station was recently renovated including sun and moon artwork on the trackside walls.

Although named for Utica Avenue the station lies from Schenectady Avenue to about 2/3 of the way to Utica Avenue. There are no exits at Utica Avenue itself. This displacement away from Utica Avenue allows sufficient easement for the IRT's Utica Avenue line, plans for which were proposed as far back as the 1930s by both the IRT and in IND Second System plans. To accomodate the expansion proposals, the line east of the station divides into three routes. Just outside the station on the local track are bellmouths leading south in Utica Avenue for the proposed Utica Avenue line. This was not preempted by the later IND plan for such a route but an alternative. From time to time the one or the other plan is resurrected, only to sink and die again.

East of Utica Avenue the tracks in the tunnel split into the present New Lots line and a set of layup tracks. These tracks lie under Pitkin Avenue and are intended to continue the IRT east in that street. The tunnel mouth between Utica Avenue and Sutter-Rutland is an early example of a split-level portal. The three tracks of the Livonia Avenue line start to diverge on the el and are well separated as they enter the tunnel.